​​​​​​I bought an XJ when I was 15. It’s a ‘99 and I’ve had it for over 20 years now. ~5 years back I got a camry for my daily driver as I was having to commute distance for work some. I kept the jeep as my fun car (drive on beach, beach, camping).


XJ has been having problems and I want a new truck.


But I also don’t want to get rid of the XJ. The engine still runs great and it has a lot of sentimental value. It’s also just super fun to drive. I love that when I hit the gas it goes - where my car has to think about it before it does anything.


I had my friend who is a really good mechanic look it over and he said basically it’s perfectly fine to drive but basically everything needs to be redone. He found a couple more rust spots on the body than I was aware of, but said the frame was in good shape and could have another 10 years on it.


I have done some maintenance on it but haven’t kept up with it great. I’m pretty amateur at fixing/maintaining, but I do enjoy working on it and learning. However my pace of working on it is pretty slow. I always tell myself I’m going to fix things on it but I don’t seem to find the time and energy. All I’ve done in the past year or so is brakes, clean out IAC (car idles correctly for the first time in 10 years), fix the radio, and basic oil/battery stuff. I also don’t think Im capable of fixing the body rust correctly. I had planned to learn to weld to do it but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen.


There’s also a few activities that I want to get into that a truck would be better for (think would need a trailer for the XJ).


So I don’t know what I want to do. If I had plenty of land and space I’d just get a truck and cancel the insurance on the XJ and work on it in spare time, but I live in the suburbs with not much space. I make decent money and can afford any option. I also don’t want to get rid of the car as its great for long commutes and highway driving. Paid off Toyota that has been well maintained. Gets 40+mpg. Having 2 cars is kind of silly let alone 3, especially with how much insurance costs now.


So I don’t know what to do - any thoughts?


For reference - things that need to be done/are wrong on the XJ:

• New brake lines
• New calipers
• Tune-up
• Rust spots
• Slow oil leak
• Hub bearings
• Coolant fluid is dirty
• Transmission fluid never maintained/changed
• Air condition is very broken and I live in Florida
• I’m sure more that I just don’t know about because I’m amateur

 

You have a 25 year old vehicle that's been neglected, needs a bunch of work, you don't really want to work on it, you don't really need it, and it would cost a lot to have someone else do the work.

Answer seems obvious.

 

Feels a little harsh - I specifically said I do enjoy working on it and have done some...

ignoring that it runs great and I enjoy driving it, etc.

 

I own a midsize truck - it can tow, do moderate trails and it's much newer. But I kept my XJ that can do much more challenging 4x4 trails and I'll never sell my sports car - guess it's a matter of priorities

 

Depends on a few things..yr situation, just you, or family, cheap small car for commute, keep XJ for off-road ?

Also, you have to be a bit realistic.

You DO need somewhere to park it, even if its on the street

You DO need somewhere to work on it (street is highly undesirable for this). It would not be cost effective for the work to be done by others

You do need either to be single and in control of your time, or the Mrs has to approve (I think we would all agree on this lol)

I have always owned cars I got cheap, some now on historic rego, (my XJ can be in 18mths)

My XJ cost me $1500, I have mostly fixed it up and have many spare parts

When folk ask why I drive such an old vehicle (and fix it), if they really want to know, I explain to them about depreciation and maintenance, and how I save many thousands of $$$$ every single year, especially on depreciation (which is less than zero in my case).

I further explain that if they enter the amount per year of depreciation into an investment calculator, and use basic assumptions, ie that they invested the saved depreciation into basic investment products, that over a 40yr period the amount will be in excess of $1M

 

Why get rid of it? If you have/find a place to keep it, and you want to work on it— it’s a great hobby. These things are built to last forever, if you’re willing to put the work in to let them

 

Get rid of it.

If you were a Real XJ Crazyperson you'd find the time and the energy.

 

I do have a garage and a 2 car driveway, so in theory could have 3 vehicles. you're spot on about depreciation. I saved so much money daily driving this for 15 years. all into an index fund

 

just seems crazy to have 3 cars for just one person, and possibly pay insurance on 3... but I do like working on it when I find the time and energy. feels good to fix a problem and enjoy the results. like mine wasin't idlng properly forever but now it does.

 

I did fix a few things... but fair point.

the rust is what really intimidates me.

 

dont be a girl...show us! pics.

Rust is a *****, so we need to see

Luckily my XJ is nearly rust free, but on my '69 Jaguar, I have had to cut out lots of rust, and fabricate new metal

MIG welding sheetmetal on an XJ is not all that difficult. Do you have your own MIG ? (You 100% need it)

In the case of my Jag, it has never been off the road more than 3 months, as I would do it bit by bit.

Some of my fabrication is of such high standard that when I showed it to a lifetime body shop owner, I actually saw his jaw go slack (I have learned old school methods)

I must admit to not being a very good welder, but I improve all the time, back thin sheet metal with copper behind if you can

 

I'll take some pics now!

I bought a welder but am afraid of it. would need to do some learning.

 

These are the worst rust spots on the body. underneath looks much better. I will get some pictures of that too.

 

That rust isnt too bad at all if thats all it is definitely fixable

Its when they are rotted from salted roads that they are too far gone

To do repairs like that, slicing the relevant sections out of a wrecked XJ is the easiest way to go

If you already have the welder, just start with the easiest section first

If you are saying you have never welded before, look at Youtube, and then practice on scrap before vehicle

Look at lots of YouTubes that show how to do this sort of repair there are many..."Fitzy" does great section fills

Presumably you have a gas MIG welding unit ?

They do not have to be powerful to do sheet metal

It is not easy to do this well, but it can be done, the roof lining will need to come out, attended to from the inside, new headlining. I did all this.

I only had rust at the back roof corners and RH drip rail

If you want to keep older vehicles, you have to refurbish everything.

I bought my XJ for $1500, and drivable ones are offered for sale for ~$2-5k, but I would not part with mine for $10k

 

I've never welded before, but it doesn't look too hard. But that's the part that intimidates me. Most of the other stuff doesn't seem too bad to me.

I did buy a harbor freight welder.

Gonna post some pics from the underside